Brian Anderson - November 26th, 2018

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​ICYMI:

Originally from Texas, Anderson had a very modest uprising to his extensive career. After his aspirations for being a professional baseball player were washed away while in college after baseball executives thought he would be a better scout than player. Anderson had to do some self-evaluation and soon found himself in broadcasting in baseball. He received his start with the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, serving as a radio/television play-by-play announcer from 1994-98 and from 2000-03. Then on, from 1998-2000, Anderson handled minor league and Little League baseball telecasts for ESPN. Anderson finally got his breakthrough when he got on with Fox Sports Southwest as a sideline reporter for the San Antonio Spurs, 1999-2007, where he covered the teams’ three NBA Championships. Also during this time, he called college basketball for the network from 2002-07 and worked at the Golf Channel where he served as a play-by-play announcer from 2003-06. Now currently, Anderson is coming up on his 12th season as play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers for Fox Sports Wisconsin, a position to which he was named in January of 2007. In addition to his role with the Brewers, Anderson has worked as a play-by-play announcer for Turner Sports. This impressive resume (via www.turner.com) includes:
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• Since 2008, Anderson has handled play-by-play for TBS' coverage of the MLB Postseason, including the 2011 National League Championship Series.
• Anderson has called MLB regular season games for TBS since 2010.
• Anderson has been a play-by-play announcer for Turner and CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship since 2012.
• Since 2014, Anderson has served as play-by-play announcer for select NBA on TNT telecasts.
• In 2016, Anderson called his first PGA Championship action for Turner on TNT and PGA.com.​

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​Q & A:

What are your go-to catch phrases on air?
Anderson said he avoids using catch phrases on air and just calls it the way he sees it. He suggested that catch phrases are a previous generation kind of thing.

Favorite memory as an announcer?
Some of Anderson’s more favorable memories include:

• That his brother got to play for the team he was announcing for at one time, the Missions.
• His 3-4 year old daughter on his knee wearing the headset
• Calling the Bronson Koenig winning basket against Xavier in the 2016 NCAA Basketball tournament
• Calling the 2010 Roy Halladay No-Hitter in a game were at one point 20 million people were watching
• Calling Steph Curry scoring 17 points in a 5 minute overtime in Portland
• All the great Brewer moments which includes CC Sabathia's remarkable success on the mound in 2008 and the previous year’s run to the NLCS

Working in Sports takes a high level of commitment, how have you found your work-family balance over the years?
Anderson responded with that you really have to love the industry to do it. He spoke upon the fact that he has sacrificed a lot of time at home for his work. He thinks his life would have been totally different if he had a regular work schedule.

Favorite broadcast partner he's done a game with?
Anderson said he did not have a favorite, but a few memorable ones he mentioned were:

• Bob Uecker
• Bill Raftery “The Governor”
• Chris Webber
• Reggie Miller
• Bill Schroeder

He also said from this question that he still texts or communicates with most of the people he's called games with.

Is there anything you would like to do in the future career wise?
Anderson said he would someday like to call a World Series or NBA Finals

How did the Brewers take it when you started broadcasting for Turner Sports?
Anderson said there was a lot of questioning if this was a stepping stone to something else, or per say a springboard to the next job. He never felt that had to be independent, although it did take a couple years to prove that he was fully committed to the Brewers. As a result of this, Anderson brought up the point that you have to find the right balance between showing some eagerness to advance your own career while still showing you love where your at.

Favorite places to call a game?

• Oracle Arena
• AT & T Park
• Fenway Park
• Yankee Stadium
• Dodger Stadium

Also mentioned that he always enjoys working at the Kohl Center and thinks the Fiserv Forum is very cool.

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​Overall, the big message that Anderson reflected while speaking to the club was to be authentic in wanting others to succeed. He said your first job in sports is most likely not going to be ideal, but that shouldn’t prevent you from diving into the details of that position and assisting those around you. Anderson said the people he sees fizzle out with the Brewers usually have a self-centered mindset and are always looking to help themselves. Anderson suggested you should “be the person you would take under your wing”.

​Thank you to Brian for making the trip from Milwaukee and taking the time to share his invaluable insight with our club about the ins and outs of working in the field of sports broadcasting, as well as his advice on how to succeed in such a competitive industry.  

Follow Brian Anderson on Twitter: @BAndersonPxP